CARY ON: Sky Blue FC visits 1st-place Courage

CARY, N.C. – Sky Blue FC could have some heavy legs when it meets the North Carolina Courage Saturday.

The New Jersey team (5-6-1, 16 points) played two National Women’s Soccer League games since the first-place Courage (8-3-0, 24) played last Saturday as the visitors performed Sunday and Wednesday.

The match at WakeMed Soccer Park will feature as the NWSL Game of the Week on Lifetime, hitting the broadcast airwaves at 3:30 p.m.

“We look forward to getting back on the field against North Carolina,” Sky Blue FC head coach Christy Holly said. “This past stretch of games has been extremely challenging, but we know the players are putting forth their best efforts despite the difficult circumstances. The expectation is make a few changes for this game, but we also expect to have a very good performance in front of a national audience on Lifetime.”

The most recent appearance for the Courage was last Saturday, a 1-0 win over the Boston Breakers at Jordan Field, while Sky Blue FC visited the Chicago Red Stars for a Sunday match, hosted the Orlando Pride Wednesday at Yurcak Field and flew to North Carolina for this game.

Saturday’s encounter will be the eighth road match out of 13th game of the season for Sky Blue FC.

With the calendar changing to July, Sky Blue FC looks to make a bit of a fresh start after falling in three of four matches in June. Saturday will be the second meeting of the season between the two teams, with the first in North Carolina May 24. Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan set a NWSL record with 11 saves, but the Courage was able to pick up a 2-0 victory.

Sky Blue FC will return home to Yurcak Field to host FC Kansas City July 8 for a 7 p.m. kickoff.